June 12, 2025- Filmmaker and Actor Justin Baldoni has issued a strong response following the dismissal of his $400 million countersuit against actress Blake Lively and her husband, Actor Ryan Reynolds. This legal drama remains in headlines even a year later and continues to create buzz in Hollywood. In this blog, let’s learn more about this controversy.
What Is The Background Of This Lawsuit Against Filmmaker Justin Baldoni?
The film “It Ends With Us” was not just a shoot or release, but it also brings the conflict between Blake and Justin. Their conflict began with their film and continues with its release. The film is an adaptation of the book with the same name, which Colleen Hoover wrote. Ever since the announcement, book fans have been eagerly waiting for it to be released. When it was released, the audience noticed some sort of tension between Justine and Blake. Because they were not promoting the film together. Then comes the claims made by the New York Times about the negative PR conduct by Justin’s team for Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who is also her husband and the co-producer.
In response to Lively’s accusations, Baldoni filed a countersuit seeking $400 million in Damages. He also accused Lively, Reynolds, and their publicist, Leslie Sloane. He also did a case on the New York Times for defamation and extortion. The newspaper was involved due to their reporting lively allegation, which is claimed as biased and damaging to Justin’s reputation.
How Blake Lively Proved Her Accusations Against Justin?
Blake Lively and her team sued the California Civil Rights Department in December 2024. She brought up the allegations of sexual harassment and a hostile work environment against Justin Baldon’s team in the lawsuit. The New York Times piece was cited in the complaint. The story describes how Justin used his publicist to spread unfavourable information about Blake Lively.
Using the same accusations she made against Baldoni’s PR team and the Civil Rights Department, she also filed a second case against him. Additionally, she claims that because they respond against all of her accusations, they have broken both federal and California state law.
Claiming her blame, she also released some chats in which she is having a conversation with Justin. These chats were not looking appropriate from Justin’s side. She did this after Justin claimed all these as fake allegations. Then, claiming her blame on him, she also released a video which is a behind-the-scenes of their kissing scene. In that Justin was seeing telling something which is making Blake uncomfortable. There is much other evidence she posts online as well as shares online.
What is the Defence Of Justin In All Of These Accusations?
For a longer time, he remained to stay quiet on the internet and chose to fight it offline. But after some time, he decided to speak against these allegations, and he released a full website. This website talks about all the evidence in his defence so that anyone can access that and try to understand his side of the story.
He and his team also declared that because Blake and her husband were the producers of the film, she wanted to have full control over the set. His team also revealed that all of those chats which was released were also fake and edited.
Why the $400 Million Lawsuit Was Dismissed?
On the date of June 9, 2025, Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed Justin’s lawsuit against Blake Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Sloane, and the Newspaper The New York Times. The judges of the case ruled that the statement in the question was either protected under free speech or the lawsuit had insufficient legal grounds for the case of defamation.
The original suit was filed earlier this year, which was followed the Blake Lively’s allegations of emotional and reputational harm. This series of professional and personal disputes. The dismissal of the case is based on the insufficient evidence against Blake Lively. And after it was announced, the team of Blake Lively claimed it “Total Victory”.
Justin Baldoni’s Response and Continued Legal Fight
Despite the dismissal of the lawsuit, Justin is not satisfied with the result. He and his team made this very clear that the legal fight is not over yet. Baldoni’s Attorney, Brayan Freedom, declared that the judges did not end the case but invited them to amend four of the seven claims against Lively.
Freedom also claimed that the accusation of sexual harassment against Justin still needs to be proved. He emphasised that they have additional evidence and refined allegations to present and remain confident moving forward.
Brayan, the lawyer, also criticised Blake Lively’s team’s declaration of victory as the case is still going on. Justin’s Lawyer and publicist are still trying to collect all the important evidence just to prove his innocence.
He mentioned looking forward to Lively’s deposition and expressed gratitude for public support and the efforts of internet sleuths following the case closely.
What’s Next In The Lawsuit?
After Justin’s 400 Million Lawsuit case is dismissed on June 9, 2025, the court has given the 23rd of June 2025 to revisit his case and refile it with more evidence. This means Baldoni could attempt to revive parts of his case, though legal experts say the bar for success is high given the judge’s prior findings.
On the other hand, the hearing of Blake Lively’s sexual harassment case is scheduled to happen this year or next. But she already declared her victory on social media, which is highly criticised by Justin’s team.
Final Thoughts
The film “It Ends With Us”, which was released in August 2024, not just released, but comes with a lot of controversy. Whether it’s the cast or the weather, the costumes used in films. But the main reason people will remember this film is the lawsuit filed between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The cases include a $400 million defamation case from Justin Baldoni against Jake and the New York Times. And the case of sexual harassment over Justi Baldoni and so on.
You can also Read about:
